With all the skin care products available, choosing a skin care regimen can seem like a daunting task. Achieving and maintaining healthy skin doesn’t necessarily have to be that complicated. In fact, a good basic skincare regimen only requires 3 steps: cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing.

Step 1: Cleaning

Cleansing helps prevent breakouts and prepares the skin for other products like moisturizer and makeup. This step should include a makeup remover and facial cleanser. Before washing your face, use a makeup remover to dissolve eye, lip, and face makeup. The makeup remover wipes are gentle and effective at removing makeup and can be used safely on the entire face, including the eye area. Removing your makeup first allows the cleanser to work more efficiently. Once you have removed your makeup, use a facial cleanser following the instructions on the package. Choosing a cleaner shouldn’t be difficult. The purpose of a cleanser is simply to remove makeup, oil, and dirt from your skin, so you don’t need to spend a lot of money on this step. Look at the product label to determine if it is suitable for your skin type. Foaming gel cleansers are good for acne and oily/combination skin because they are very effective at dissolving oil. Cream cleansers are better for dry skin because they don’t strip the skin of its natural oils.

Step 2: Scrub

Exfoliation removes dead skin cells from the top layers of the skin, keeping it smooth and also helps prevent pores from becoming clogged. Exfoliate 2-3 times a week for best results, after cleansing. There are a few different methods of exfoliation, offering a range of options for different budgets.

Exfoliating scrubs and masks can be found at drug stores for under $10 and work great for basic exfoliation. For normal to dry skin, try using an exfoliator like St Ives Apricot Scrub or Queen Helen Mint Julep Natural Facial Scrub. For acne and oily skin, exfoliating masks like the Freeman Exfoliating Facial Mask work well because they reduce oil and refine pores while exfoliating.

There are also some electronic devices on the market that exfoliate the skin and work for all skin types. Neutrogena has something called The Wave that uses vibration to remove dead skin cells. Clarisonic makes an exfoliating device that uses “sonic technology” to gently remove dead skin cells.

And finally, chemical exfoliants. Products that contain chemical exfoliants are typically found in high-end skincare lines, like those sold at Ulta and Sephora. Chemical exfoliants work at the cellular level to loosen dead skin cells so they are sloughed off the skin without the need for an abrasive action. One example is Juice Beauty’s Green Apple Peel, which is a cream mask that contains a chemical exfoliant called hydroxy acid. Also, Philosophy Microdelivery Peel, which is a set of moistened pads that contain glycolic acid.

Step 3: Moisturizing

Whatever your skin type, hydration is a must! Even for oily and acneic skin. The purpose of moisturizer is not just to keep your skin soft and smooth. The moisturizer also helps keep the skin hydrated below the top layers, improving its overall appearance and helping to delay the signs of aging in the long run. Even if your skin is oily, it may not be deeply hydrated. Dehydration can cause the skin to produce excess oil in some cases. When shopping for a moisturizer, read the labels to find something suitable for your skin type. “Oil-free” and “non-comedogenic” are always good phrases to search for, but especially for acne and oily skin types. Apply moisturizer as the last step in your skincare regimen morning and night. During the day, always follow your moisturizer with a sunscreen to prevent sun damage and premature aging.

If you have additional skin care concerns such as acne or fine lines and wrinkles, you may want to add an extra step to this regimen. This step would include some type of topical treatment, such as acne gel or anti-wrinkle serum. If you use a treatment like this, apply it before your moisturizer for best results.

When trying new skin care products, it’s important to remember these two things: timing and consistency. Many people will buy a product, try it several times, and throw it away if they don’t see results right away. Most skin care products can take up to 6 weeks of regular use to show results. Be patient!